Social Media Use Purposes of Children and The Impact of Their Self-Directed Learning with Technology on Health Literacy

Abstract

Background: Health literacy is described as a means to obtain new information and reach more positive attitudes, more competence, positive health behaviors and better health outcomes. Social media use and self-directed learning with technology affecting health literacy of children. Objectives: This study is to examine the effect of social media and their self-directed learning with technology on health literacy. Methods: The study was conducted with a total of 507 students from two secondary schools located in Turkey's Aegean region. Descriptive Information Form”, “Social Media Purpose Use Scale”, “Self-Directed Learning with Technology Scale” and “Health Literacy Scale for School-Aged Children” were used as data collection tools. Results: Result of the regression analysis showed, there was a positive moderate significant correlation between the mean total scores of the purpose of social media use (β =.60, p <.001) and health literacy there was a positive moderate significant correlation between self-directed learning with technology (β =.58, p <.001) and health literacy. The health literacy of the students was mostly affected from the mean total scores of the purpose of social media use and the self-directed learning with technology, respectively. It was found that 46% (F = 215.872, p < .001) of the factors affecting the health literacy in the overall model could be accounted by the purpose of social media use and self-directed learning with technology. Conclusion: It is reported that there is a positive significant correlation between health literacy of the children and the purposes of social media use and self-directed learning with technology.